Han Shizu

Chapter 892 Raiders Direction
Before holding the welcome dinner and in-depth contact with Youyan Wenwu, Liu Chengyou took advantage of the leisure time to call An Shenqi, Chai Rong, Murong Yanzhao, and Gao Huaide, the four senior commanders of the Northern Expedition Army, to his side.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he asked directly: "How is the Yan army's garrison arrangement, what is the morale of the army, and how is the defense of Youzhou?"

From Liu Chengyou's three consecutive questions, it can be seen that in his heart, he is not as relieved as he is on the surface for Yan Jun, and he is open and honest.After all, Yan Wang Zhao Kuangzan and some generals of the Yan army cannot represent all the Yan army.

The Zhao Siwan Rebellion that broke out before is enough to make people vigilant.Although Zhao Siwan has been killed under the law, there may not be no people who have had social contact with this person over the years and who maintain similar thoughts and attitudes to him.

Apparently feeling the emperor's concerns, An Shenqi bowed his hands immediately, and said: "The total number of soldiers in the Yan army is about [-]. After the war, the people's courage will be expanded, and the number will reach [-]. After fighting with the Liao army, There are still more than [-] soldiers who can fight. In addition to the troops left behind in Zhuo and Yi, they were stationed in Changping, Huairou, and Yuyang, and about [-] cavalry were stationed in Youzhou.

In order to appease the Yan army, after the minister led the army northward and stationed in Youzhou City, he left the ten thousand Yan army to guard the northern city, while our army controlled the other three cities and the surrounding camps.

I have carefully surveyed the city defenses of Youzhou, which can be said to be solid. The defense facilities such as the urn city, arrow windows, and towers are very complete, and can accommodate [-] troops without being crowded. King Yan really put his heart into the preparation of the city defense.

With this strong city, it is enough to become a solid rear and foothold for the army to attack the Liao army in the north! "

Hearing An Shenqi's explanation, Liu Chengyou calmed down a little, nodded, and sighed: "The [-] Yan army has doubled in size compared to before the war, and with the joint defense of the army and the people, the land of Youyan is the land of the whole people. All soldiers!"

Hearing this, Chai Rong seriously echoed and said: "Your Majesty's words are true! After going north, I visited the counties. Because of the back and forth fighting for more than [-] days, almost everyone in Youyan repaired their military equipment. Because the Liao cavalry destroyed everywhere, the local autumn harvest, the crops were destroyed, the minister asked Song Qi, according to what he said, this year's autumn harvest may be less than [-]% of the previous year, and the rest will be destroyed.

Youyan already has food shortages, and it is still able to support it with all its strength, but I predict that it will not be long before the military rations transported to the north, in addition to supplying the army, will need to set aside part to help the people of Yan! "

Liu Chengyou immediately asked: "Although the fields are not abundant this year, the people of Youyan have no food left?"

Chai Rong replied calmly: "Taxes are still high, and there are soldiers, how can they be preserved?"

Hearing what he said, Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said, "From this point of view, the food burden of the Northern Expedition is heavier than we imagined!"

Chai Rong said: "According to Li Chuyun's calculations, the daily food consumption of the army in camp, including the Yan army, auxiliary soldiers, and civilian husbands, is about 5000 shi, and there will be an increase in the future. , has exceeded 45 shi"

Hearing this data, Liu Chengyou's expression changed: "According to this consumption rate, the 200 million shi army rations prepared by the imperial court can last for more than half a year!"

Chai Rong replied solemnly: "Maybe there are some discrepancies, but there is also a large difference. After all, 400,000 soldiers and civilians have been mobilized this time. If the soldiers and civilians of Yandi are added, it will exceed 500,000. It is not counted as local conscription. Horses are also a big expense”

The account that Chai Rong mentioned is already a conclusion drawn under an extremely ideal state, but food is only the most basic item of consumption in the battle of the army, but it is the item that best explains the problem.It can also be seen from this how much the court paid for the Northern Expedition.

And Liu Chengyou can almost imagine, from Wei Renpu, Xue Juzheng, to Li Chuyun, these officials and generals who are in charge of military supply logistics are a manifestation of headaches.

However, no matter how difficult it was, it could not shake Liu Chengyou's determination. On the contrary, it stimulated his motivation and will to be more aggressive, just like the emotion he expressed when he was watching the luggage transfer on the canal. He paid such a high price and did not fail. room for.

After thinking about it for a while, Liu Chengyou ordered with an extremely calm expression: "These situations should be reported to Tokyo in a timely manner, and the rear of the camp should be prepared to deal with it and make more adequate preparations. If it is necessary to recruit, it should be recruited, and it should be supplemented. , the battle is just beginning, there is no reason to hesitate!"

"Yes!" Guo Rong complied, admiring Liu Chengyou's firm gesture.

From the beginning of the war in late July to the beginning of September, for nearly [-] days, the big man has already paid a lot, and the one who suffered the most is Youyan, which has caused great harm to the Liao army. The small damage has achieved good results, but in fact, the Youyan area has been smashed
And Chai Rong, to be honest, didn't show much sympathy for Youyan Shimin.The same goes for Liu Chengyou, he often has acts of love and compassion for the people, but more considerations lie in his rule.

On the issue of logistical supplies, Liu Chengyou did not continue to study it, but looked at a few people and said: "The battle has been fought well during this period of time. I started from Tokyo and arrived on the way, and I have repeatedly received good news!"

"Still relying on His Majesty's prestige and protection!" An Shenqi said.

"No need to talk about polite words!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand, looked at An Shenqi, and said seriously: "Tell me about the situation of the Liao army. Also, how the army will move next is different from the previous plan. It should be discussed!"

Wen asked, Chai Rong reported: "Your Majesty, since the army went north to Youzhou, the Liao army has completely shrunk, and only a small number of rangers are still active. They are only for spying and dare not go further. The ministers and others discussed However, the Liao army intends to rely on the defense of Guancheng to continue to consume the morale of our army and delay the standby.

Although the former of our army achieved a lot of results, it was mainly the losses of the Han army, Bohai, and Xi people.For the troops and soldiers of the Khitan headquarters, the blow was not deep enough, and the loss was not too serious!
The Liao army had many defeats on the surface, but it did not hurt the fundamentals. The strength in their hands is still impressive! "

Seeing that Chai Rong and the others had such an understanding, were not proud of their victory, and kept a clear head, Liu Chengyou subconsciously felt at ease.The soldiers below can be arrogant, but only the commander, as the brain center of the army, cannot underestimate the enemy.

"For this situation, what is the next step?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Chai Rongdao: "The ministers thought that according to the established plan, we should go north and take the initiative to attack. One is Tanzhou and the other is Juyongguan. The defense arrangement of the Liao army obviously has the idea of ​​using these two places as horns, and our army will find and break them. , Tanzhou is the main area, supplemented by Juyong.

If it is pulled out, the most important nail of the Liao army in the Yannan area will be pulled out, and then you can concentrate on dealing with the main force of the Liao army in the direction of Juyongguan.

As for the direction of Zunhua, a partial division can be sent to monitor.As for the direction of Luanping, previously, the camp agreed with Ma Quanyi's suggestion to manage the east road, and has added 50,000 people horses to them, and used offense instead of defense. It can not only pass through the Lulong area, but also defend the east, blocking the direction of Yuguan road. The reinforcements of the Liao army, let the army specialize in dealing with the Liao army in the north of Youzhou! "

Liu Chengyou didn't raise any objections to Chai Rong's and others' ideas. As for the division of troops, he didn't think there was any problem, after all, he was strong enough.In fact, both Han and Liao knew that the main battlefields of this battle were in Tanzhou and Juyongguan.

Because of the terrain, the main force of the Liao army coming south must go to Juyongguan, and it is unlikely to cross mountains and mountains from other areas.And if there are mistakes in these two places, then the initiative in the war will completely fall into the hands of the Han army.

"What is the strength of the Tanzhou defenders?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Tanzhou is guarded by Liaonan Privy Secretary Xiao Siwen, with a strength of about [-] troops, mixed with Han and Hu. If he defends it firmly, he can break it with all his strength!" Chai Rong said with certainty.

"Then fight!" Liu Chengyou said decisively, looking at several people: "I want to see how much the Khitan people have learned about the ability to defend the city!"

(End of this chapter)